The Russellville Democrat., 1887-03-09
TILLERS OF THE SOIL.
The Farmers Convention at Lit
tie Rock.
CONTINUED from first page.

The Farmers Convention at Lit
tie Rock.
CONTINUED from first page.
vide how to ship produce so much as
how to make produce to ship.
The report was recommitted
Coz. ID. B. Williams introduced
the following resolution which was
referred to the committee on trans
portation:
Resolved, That while we recog-
nize the necessity and importance Of
the enactment of such law by our
general assembly as will prevent
unjust discrimination by railroads
in the transportation Of freight, pool
ing, rebating, a larger charge for a
short haul than tor long haul, and
kindred abuses which it is the duty OF
the state by law to prohibit
Nevertheless, in view of the fact
that a comprehensive measure
known as the inter state commerce
law has recently been passed by con
gress which provides for board OF
/ five commissioners to CARY such
law into effect, we deem it nnwise
and inexpedient for orr general as
sembly to pass any law which pro
vides for the appointment of state
commissioners until our state to-
gether with the country at large, is
more fully advised by experience as
to the practical operation OF the in
terstate law.
Gen. D. McRea, of White as chair
man of the committee to reduce the
acreage OF cotton submitted the fol-
lowing report:
ITO the President of the Farmers,
convention Of the State of Arkansas
Your committee, to whom was re-
ferred the question of how to pro
coed SO as to secure a reduction of
the acreage grown in cotton in this
state, respectfully submit that we
have considered the complex prob
lem, and find its solution one of
great difficulty, A study Of the con
dition OF the agricultural classes of
this state reveals the fact that for
years it has been the habit of the cot
ton producers to mortgage their
crops for supplies before such crops
were planted, which course forces
them to plant their principal crop in
cotton to meet such mortgage. We
further find that the exemption laws
Of this state are the prime factor in
such a ruinous system, and until this
cause is removed by proper legisla-
ton 1t is useless to hope for any
change.
We further find that every farmer
readily and fully realizes the lmpor
lance to the general good which
would result from diversifying crops,
growing less cotton and more of the
cereals, grasses and stock. But far
ming, like any other business, is con
trolled not by sentiment, but by
prospective profits, and we feel that
any resolution this convention may
pass urging the growing of less cot
ton and more of the food and forage
plants will result in but little good
And as this convention desires to
take such action as will result in
some practical good, we are of the
opinion that q commencement of
such a course can be attained by an
amendment to the law known as the
crop mortgage law, as found in Mans
fields Digest, Sec. 4749.
Wa tho raartOulanH that tho
general assembly of the state of Ar
kansas be by your honorable body
requested TO amend such law so that
no mortgage executed upon crops be
considered valid or enforclble which
are entered into before the first day
OF June in any year.
And inasmuch as contracts for the
present year have been entered into
and arrangements made to enter into
contracts by tenants and others,
we recommend that such amendment
do not take effect until SIX months
after its passage.
We do further recommend that the
president of this convention be re.
quested to draft and publish to the
farmers OF this state an address
showing the Importance of growing
less cotton and more of the cereals,
grass and stock. All of which is
respectfully submitted.
ID. MoREA,
SIGNED S. Nj. MCGEHEE.
j. +. BIscoE.
Mr.. Miller of Howard, stated that
if the mortgage system was abolish
ed in his county it would simply
drive thousands of poor people out of
the county. They just simply can't
live without it, He opposed the
adoption of that part of the report
referring to the mortgage system.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick of st. Francis,
said If you really want to reduce the
cotton crop, abolish the mortgage
cxsotapa 10 "A upatt n do ~ Half he